The Limey

The Limey #11: Seven E3 2009 Predictions

Prediction #4: Nintendo will either announced Pikmin 3 or Kid Icarus (yes, again) for the Wii, or both. Too many rumblings have been heard so far this year about Miyamoto and a potential Wii sequel to the beloved Pikmin franchise. Sure we just got the GameCube-with-Wii-controls ports, but Nintendo needs to deliver an all-new Olimar-powered title to the Wii. Or perhaps to the DS? Kid Icarus has long been a standing joke of a prediction, but what if the minds behind Super Smash Bros. got onboard and made something special? That'd be worth checking out.

Prediction #5: Hotdogs wrapped in bacon soaked in cheese will be dropped on the filthy floor of LACC's West Hall.

Pikmin: Surely we've waited long enough for a new addition to the excellent series?

Prediction #6: Gears of War 3 will be announced at Microsoft's press conference. There won't be anything shown other than a microscopic teaser trailer featuring a lancer revving up and the voice of Marcus Fenix saying something rude. Other notable Microsoft games will include the not-very-secret Forza MotorSport 3, the new Mistwalker JRPG and the earth-shattering news that Perfect Dark will in fact be officially announced for Xbox Live Arcade. Beyond that it'll be standard fare featuring Mass Effect 2, Halo 3: ODST and maybe a new project from Rare.

Prediction #7: Sony will blow out MAG -- a game that I'm personally very interested in. It'll get all big-headed about how it aims to bring 256 players together in large-scale first-person shooting mayhem, and the live demo we'll see will wow crowds. Other than that, I'm betting that God of War III and Gran Turismo 5 will be the stars of Sony's press conference. There's a really slim outside chance that the rumored Trico Project might make a sizzle reel appearance, but the odds are stacked high against that one.

There you have it. If half of my hopes come to fruition then E3 2009 promises to be a good show all around. Of course, my personal pick for Game of the Show remains Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2. Did you watch the new trailer yet? Go ahead and post your predictions. Let's see who has the most accurate crystal ball. Cheers.

[The Limey is written by Bryn Williams, who is not sad that he's missing out on the "fun" that E3 invariably bestows upon game journos.]